JOURNEY TO HOGWARTS
Chapter Six: The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
"My son is going to Hogwarts, at last.",Lily said in a singing voice.
"Really interesting choice to dedicate a chapter to the journey. I feel something important is going to happen here.",Severus said.
(Harry's last month with the Dursleys wasn't fun.)
"I really doubt that there were fun times in that place ,for Harry.",Lily said.
"Yeah, i know. As far as i know from reading it was horrible.",Severus said.
(True, Dudley was now -a bit depressing after a while.)
"I always hated being ignored by people.",Severus said.
"Yeah,me too. Especially when you ignore me.",Lily said.
"Do i ignore you?",Severus asked.
"Yeah, you ignore me when you are with your slytherin friends.",Lily said sadly.
"I am sorry,Lily.",Severus apologized.
(Harry kept to his room-A History of Magic.)
"That is a really nice name to give to an owl.",Lily said smiling.
"I like that name, it is cute.",Severus said.
"Look, he is already starting to read the books.",Lily said.
"He is very much like you,Lily.",Severus said.
"He is reading,'A History of Magic', a subject that will bore you to death.",Lily said laughing.
(His school books were- to September the first.)
"Hey i do that everytime!",Severus said. "I have a calendar hung up next to my bed."
"Is it a calendar with pictures of pretty girls.",Lily asked teasingly.
"Nah.",Severus said blushing. "Just normal calendar."
(On the last day of August-screamed and ran from the room.)
The duo laughed hysterically. "That was seriously hilarious!",Lily said.
"That fat moron used to bully your son, now he is running by just the voice of him.", Severus laughed.
"This is just hilarious. But i wonder why he suddenly went to see them.",Lily said.
"It's obvious lily,he wants a ride to London.",Severus said.
"Oh yeah!",Lily said.
(Er - I need to be at King's Cross -all got punctures, have they?)
"This moron thinks that witched and wizards travel by magical carpets!",Severus said laughing.
"I have heard that, middle eastern countries prefer magical carpets,over brooms.",Lily said.
"Really, i wonder why?",Severus said.
"Well, even i think that Magical carpets are safer.",Lily said.
(Harry didn't say anything-anyway, or I wouldn't bother.")
"I am seriously confused.",Lily said.
"Why? What is so confusing about Vernon not knowing about the platform?",Severus asked.
"It's because of Petunia. She has come to see me go, many times. I cant't believe that she can easily forget all that.",Lily said.
"I think she is not telling that because of her hatred towards you.",Severus said.
"Yeah i also think so.",Lily said angrily.
(Why are you going-before he goes to Smeltings.)
The duo burst out laughing.
"I almost forgot about the tail.",Severus laughed.
"I wonder how they are going to explain the tail to the doctors.",Lily said.
"I have no idea, that is going to be difficult.",Severus said.
(Harry woke at five o'clock-next to Harry, and they had set off.)
"He must be feeling really scared.",Lily said with a mock sadness.
"Who, Harry?",Severus asked.
"No! I meant his cousin, Dudley.",Lily said laughing.
"Even i pace in my room, the day i go for Hogwarts.",Severus said.
"I get very little sleep, the night before.",Lily said.
(They reached King's -have built it yet, do they?")
"What an sadistic idiot!",Severus said angrily.
"I know, he finds joy in other people's confusion.",Lily said shaking her head.
"I really wonder ,how Harry is going to find the platform.",Severus wondered.
"Even I am wondering the same thing. Hopefully he will find it on time.",Lily said.
(He was quite right, of - was being stupid on purpose.)
"That is the stupidest thing you ever did Harry!",Lily shouted.
"How can he even think of such stupid idea? The Guard was obviously a muggle.",Severus said laughing.
"I think for a moment he forgot about the ,statue of secrecy",Lily laughed.
"Well, he is new to all this.",Severus said.
(Getting desperate, Harry-Harry swung round.)
"Oh thank god! Someone magical at last!",Severus said.
"Perfect timing. I wonder who they are.",Lily said.
"They are shouting about muggles in a platform, filled with them. That is so stupid.",Severus said.
(The speaker was a plump-what they were saying.)
"Aaaah, i think he just met the Weasleys.", Lily said smiling.
"Arthur Weasley was head boy, in our first year, wasn't it?",Severus asked.
"Along with Molly Prewett. They were a perfect couple.", Lily said.
"I wonder if they both got married.",Severus said.
(Heart hammering, Harry pushed - and off he went. )
"Twin trouble!",Severus said laughing.
"These are certainly the troublemakers of that time.",Lily said.
"How do you know?",Severus asked.
"Well their attitude says it all. The marauders have the similar attitude. I am sure if they heard this, they will tell that this is a awesome prank.",Lily said.
"So you are saying that these people maybe the next generation, of marauders?",Severus asked. Lily nodded.
"Well, then Harry should stay away from them.", Severus said.
(His twin called after him-and feet, and a long nose.)
"He is really a polite boy.",Lily said happily.
"Definitely not a marauder. He is too nice to be one.",Severus said.
"I think the red haired boy called Ron is going to be,Harry's friend.",Lily said.
"How can you tell?",Severus asked.
"I have no idea. But i have a feeling, it will be so.",Lily said.
("Yes," said Harry-okay," said Harry.)
"The woman is so nice.",Severus said with a smile. "I think all red haired people are nice."
"I think you should date a red haired girl,Sev.",Lily said.
"Do you know anyone close?",Severus asked.
"Well, i don't know anyone but me.",Lily said.
Severus knew he would happily date her, if she gave a chance.
(He pushed his trolley -He had done it.)
Severus and Lily cheered. "Finally!",Lily said happily.
"At last, after ten years of hardship, he is going to Hogwarts.",Severus said smiling.
"No one to bully him there! No one to call him a freak.",Lily said.
"No one will call him a freak. But do you think, there will be no bullies?", Severus asked.
"I know. With people like that Malfoy kid, there will be no shortage of them.",Lily said.
(Smoke from the engine drifted - I've lost my toad again.)
"What? Someone took a toad as their pet? That is so old fashioned.",Severus said.
"Well, something is definitely better than nothing.",Lily said.
"I want to buy a pet this time, I am tired of using school owls.",Severus said.
"Me too, Sev. But i think i will stick to the school owls, and buy a cat.",Lily said.
"You never struck me as a cat person.",Severus said.
"Well, I am full of surprises.",Lily said grinning.
("Oh, Neville," he-he'd followed through the barrier.)
"OK, I might have to change my mind. The twins may not be so bad after all.",Lily said.
"The fact that the twins, helped your son may not say that, they are not troublemakers.",Severus said.
"That maybe true. The boy with the toad, his name was Neville wasn't it?",Lily asked.
"Yes, What is the matter.",Severus asked.
"My friend Alice wants to name her son as Neville.",Lily said.
"Are you saying that the kid may be her son?",Severus asked.
"Well, her boyfriend Frank always liked toads.",Lily said.
("Yes, please," Harry- Harry's lightning scar.)
"Oh no! They are starting to notice.",Lily said shaking her head.
"His scar is something that is hard to notice.",Severus said.
"I know Severus, i just don't want him to be famous for something, he does not remember.",Lily said.
"I know. It is just not fair.",Severus said.
("Blimey," said the other -I mean, yes, I am.)
"That is certainly a weird way to say that.",Severus said laughing.
"James sometimes says things like these.",Lily said.
"I thought so. This sentence is too weird for you to say.",Severus said.
(The two boys gawked - they were saying.)
"Stop eavesdropping on people Harry!",Lily said angrily.
"James Potter strikes again!",Severus said laughing.
"I hate it when that happens. I don't want my son to be an arrogant toerag.",Lily said.
"I don't think he is like that,Lily.",Severus said.
(Their mother had just taken-All summer )
Lily and Severus burst out laughing.
"That is so hilarious. The Percy guy is just too funny.",Severus said.
"I think that these twins are better then the Marauders.",Lily said.
"Let's see how they really are.",Severus said.
(Oh, shut-idea though, thanks, Mom.)
"Really bad idea. That is just gross.",Lily said disgusted.
"I am sure, the Marauders would have done that, at least once.",Severus said.
"I don't know. It is gross even for them.",Lily said.
"Never underestimate ,the grossness of Marauders.",Severus said laughing.
(It's not funny. And-and see him, Mom, please.)
"He is not a museum exhibit, that you can visit.",Lily said angrily.
"Yeah, even Harry hates his fame.",Severus said.
"At least , I think that the mother Weasley is kind.",Lily said.
"I am sure that they will not be allowed to that, by their mother.",Severus said.
"I really hope so.",Lily said.
(You've already seen him, Ginny, - looks like?)
"If you ask that, I will come inside the book and hex you.",Lily said angrily.
"Those two boys are really irritating.",Severus said.
"At least their mom is good. She will obviously will not allow them to ask that.",Lily said.
"We should thank Molly for this.",Severus said.
"What will say ,and thank her?",Lily said laughing.
"We will figure something out.",Severus said smiling.
(Their mother suddenly -Only joking, Mom.)
"Sending your sister a toilet, seat! That's even more gross.",Severus said.
"I know, it is really bad. I seriously want to go inside and shout at them.",Lily said.
"I think it would be alright to send your sister one. She is even more gross than that.",Severus said laughing.
"Sev!",Lily said, but she was also laughing.
(The train began to-redheaded boy came in.)
"I told you they are going to be friends.",Lily said.
"That is what i am also thinking, what is going to happen.",Severus said. "I hope they will not be like, Potter and Black."
"I doubt it Sev. The Weasley's are good people. They are not like the blacks.",Lily said.
(Anyone sitting there?- tarantula down there.)
Lily shrieked. "Someone bought a tarantula to the school?", Severus said amused.
"That is just even more gross than the Marauders.",Lily said. "I wonder what house they are in."
"I am sure that they will be in Gryffindor. No other house can do these kind of stuff.",Severus said.
"Not all of us are like that,Sev.",Lily said.
"I know,Lily. You are not like those people.",Severus said smiling.
("Right," mumbled-door shut behind them.)
"That is really a small introduction, by those twins.",Lily said laughing.
"They must be nervous to speak to him.",Severus said.
"I really don't like this attitude, as if my son is a big savior of their world.",Lily said.
(Are you really Harry -of the window again.)
"Why is everyone just staring at the scar like this? It is as if it is a big thing to have a scar.",Severus said.
"I personally think that, it is an ugly mark in my beautiful child.", Lily said.
"I hope Ron will be a hero worshiping boy like Peter Pettigrew.", Severus said.
"I really doubt it. I am sure Arthur and Molly will not raise him like that.".Lily said.
(Are all your family -old wand, and Percy's old rat.)
"FIVE! That is a lot of children!",Lily exclaimed.
"OF course he is gloomy! He has so much to live up to!" Severus said. "Having five elder brothers will not be easy."
"I know whatever he does, his elder brothers might have done it already, and he may not get enough credit.", Lily said.
"I hope he will not turn out to be a jealous person.",Severus said.
(Ron reached inside his -seemed to cheer Ron up)
"My son is a sweetheart," she smiled, and the Severus grinned. But Severus knew that, this trait of Ron may make him a jealous boy.
"There is nothing wrong with having second hand things. They are poor after all.",Severus said sadly.
"I know Sev. I think we need to give them some of the money,you get from selling the potions to them.",Lily said.
"I don't think that they will accept. I am sure that they are a proud family.",Severus said.
(... and until Hagrid-you, of all people -)
"What is the problem with my son saying a name?",Lily asked.
"Lily even you were hesitant at first, to even say it.",Severus said.
"I appreciate it that, my son is saying it. I think he is brave enough.",Lily said.
"He is a really brave kid,Lily.",Severus said nodding.
(I'm not trying to be- learn quick enough)
"Your mother is the best example.",Severus said smiling. "She is a really quick learner."
"It was because I met you before coming there.",Lily said smiling.
"That is not the only reason, you really are a brilliant witch.", Severus said.
Lily blushed and said,"You are also a brilliant wizard,Sev."
(While they had been-didn't have Mars Bars.)
"He just asked a witch, for mars bars?",Severus laughed. "He is asking wrong things to wrong people."
"Well, I don't think he knows about chocolate frogs and every flavor beans.",Lily said.
"Oh yeah! Unfortunately he does not know about the good stuff.",Severus said.
"Muggle candies are also, good in their own manner.", Lily said.
"Yeah, it is. I really like some of those.",Severus agreed.
(What she did have were Bettie -out of a pumpkin pasty.)
"Wow! He must be really starving.",Lily said.
"I don't think Dursleys would have given much to him.",Severus said.'
"I like pumpkin pasties. They taste really good.",Lily said.
"When i first heard about them, I was really skeptical. But when i had it , I changed my mind.",Severus said.
(Ron had taken out a lumpy-up a pasty. "Go on -")
"Your boy is really kind like you.",Severus smiled.
"He really is a good boy. I am sure all the teachers are going to like him.",Lily said.
"I wish, i was a teacher there. I will surely help him.",Severus said.
"Still we have no information about where you are,Sev. That just scares me.",Lily said.
(You don't want this- I'm missing Agrippa.)
"I am proud to say that I have all of them.",Severus said proudly.
"What!? How did you get all of them.?", Lily asked impressed.
"Well, that is a collector's secret. I cannot say to anyone.",Severus said grinning.
"What? Not even to your best friend?", Lily said with a mock sadness in her face.
"Well, some things are better kept with ourselves.",Severus said.
("What?"-music and tenpin bowling.)
"What is tenpin bowling?",Lily asked.
"You basically roll a ball at a few bowling pins, which look like Butterbeer bottles, and try to knock them over. Just bowling with butterber bottles." ,Severus said.
"So Dumbledore is the one who discovered twelve uses of dragon blood.",Lily said.
"Yeah, it has really intersting applications in potion making.",Severus said.
"You are bothered about only potions aren't you?",Lily teased.
(Harry turned the card -sounded amazed. "weird!)
"Muggles do have moving pictures. The wizards don't even know about them.".Severus said.
"We need to go for another movie, the last one we saw was 'The man with golden gun'.",Lily said.
They had gone with, some of Lily's muggle school friends. Lily had told them that, she was going to a boarding school in Scotland.
"Yeah, is there any good ones releasing?",Severus asked.
"I have no idea. We need to check it out.",Lily said.
(Harry stared as Dumbledore sidled- booger flavored one once.)
"Even me! Even I had tasted it once.",Lily said.
"I have tasted earwax.",Severus said disgustedly.
"That is really disgusting, Sev.",Lily said.
"But the good thing is that most of the flavors are good.",Severus said.
(Ron picked up a green -you seen a toad at all?)
"Oh, it is that toad boy again.",Severus said.
" Alice must have argued with frank, before giving her boy a toad.",Lily said.
"Why do you say that?", Severus asked.
"Well, who would want their son to have a pet toad",Lily said.
(When they shook their -white was glinting at the end.)
"Oh, the boy really needs a new wand.",Lily said sadly.
"Are the Weasleys so poor that they can't afford a new wand?",Severus asked.
"I know, it is really sad to see a good family like this, so poor.",Lily said.
"I really think that, we should help them.",Severus said.
(Unicorn hair's nearly-this stupid, fat rat yellow.)
Lily and Severus burst out laughing. "The boy is stupid enough to believe that this is a real spell?",Severus asked still laughing.
"I think, the brothers might have made him believe it.",Lily said.
"They really do sound like the Marauders. I have seen them torment first years by telling them fake spells.",Severus said.
"Yep. They really are the next generation marauders."
(He waved his wand,- by the way, who are you?)
"This girl sounds like you, Lily.",Severus said laughing.
"Hey, I never memorized the course books," Lily said, looking at the book in awe.
"I meant that she has the tone of yours, when you are speaking. The voice of a know it all.",Severus said.
"Hey, I am not a know it all!",Lily said angrily.
"The name Granger does not sound familiar. I think she is a muggle born like you.",Severus said.
(She said all this very - of the Twentieth Century.)
"Her talk is never ending.",Lily said laughing.
"I think she going to have a hard time settling in Hogwarts.", Severus said.
"I know. People do not treat people like her properly. They often bully them.",Lily said sadly.
"I have a strange feeling that, she is going to be friends with Harry.",Severus said.
"You are predicting many things about this. Let's see how many turn out to be true.",Lily said.
("Am I?" said Harry,-not in it," said Ron)
"That is a really rude thing to say. I am sure she will be a Ravenclaw anyway.",Lily said.
"She also can be a Gryffindor. You are one.",Severus said smiling.
"But she definitely acts like a Ravenclaw. And she thinks she will be one.",Lily said.
"Let's see which house she will be in.",Severus said.
(He threw his wand back into- put me in Slytherin.)
"There is no problem with Slytherin house.",Severus shouted angrily.
"I think because of the you know who problem, everyone became scared of the house.",Lily said sadly.
"But not all of us are bad.",Severus argued.
(That's the house Vol- rob a high security vault.)
"What? Someone tried to break into Gringotts? What were they after?",Lily asked.
"The package in the vault 713.",Severus said simply.
"How can you say that?",Lily asked.
"The title of the book says it all. I wonder what is so important about that stone.",Severus said.
"We sure will find out soon.",Lily said.
(Harry stared- case You-Know-Who's behind it.)
"I think people may be serious about You-know-who is behind.",Severus said fearfully.
"Oh! I really hope, that they all are wrong.",Lily said shaking her head.
"Yeah, even i do. But breaking into a high security vault is not an easy task.",Severus said.
"I know, Sev. But I just hope it is not.",Lily said.
(Harry turned this news -get if he had the money)
"Ron is always forgetting that, Harry does not know much about the wizarding world.",Lily said.
"Harry is a famous person in the world. Nobody must have thought that he will turn out like this.",Severus said.
"Ron is very much into Quidditch isn't he?",Lily asked.
"Yeah, and it appears that even harry is becoming interested.",Severus said sadly.
(He was just taking -my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy.)
"So the Malfoy idiot is back again.",Severus said angrily. "And it appears that there are sons of Crabbe and Goyle, with him as private bodyguards."
"Did you notice how he introduced himself?",Lily said laughing. "It is exactly like how James Bond does it."
"Now you say it, I notice it now.",Severus said grinning.
"Do you reckon ,he watches muggle movies?",Lily asked.
"I doubt it. Lucius will never allow it.",Severus said.
(Ron gave a slight -hand to shake Harry's)
"DON'T DO IT!", Lily yelled.
"Don't! Don't take his hand Harry!",Severus said.
"Weasleys are equal to ten of that prat!",Lily said.
(but Harry -in his pale cheeks.)
"That's my boy!",Lily said happily. Severus was happy that Harry did not accept too.
(I'd be careful if I were -and it'll rub off on you)
Lily and Severus were steaming with anger.
"How dare he tell that to Harry!",Severus said angrily.
"I want to hex him right away.",Lily was shaking with anger.
(Both Harry and Ron-into Goyle's knuckle)
Lily and Severus burst out laughing.
"YEAH SCABBERS!",Lily cheered, throwing her fist into the air."Even a common rat knows that Malfoy is up to absolutely no good."
"That is so hilarious, I will not say anything to anyone who keeps a rat as their pet.",Severus said laughing.
(Crabbe and Malfoy backed away - over to the Dark Side.)
"So, Lucius did go to you-know-who's side.",Severus said sadly.
"That is not a big surprise, everyone in the Gryffindor knew that.",Lily said disgustedly.
"I wonder who and all went to that side.",Severus said.
"I am sure there will be many.",Lily said.
(He turned to Hermione. -Hermione in a sniffy voice.)
"She i too bossy!",Lily said.
"I still feel that they are going to be friends.",Severus said.
" I don't know,Sev. Even i don't like to be bossed around by someone.",Lily said. "But I like the fact that she is a rule abiding girl."
Severus laughed at this.
(And you've got dirt- over the sea of heads.)
"I love seeing Hagrid at the beginning of the year,",Severus smiled.
"Makes me feel like I've come home," ,Lily smiled.
"We should talk with him, when we get out of the train.",Severus said.
"That is unnecessary,Sev. I am sure we will get time for that.",Lily said.
("C'mon, follow me - any more firs' -round this bend here.)
"I loved that moment, it was so beautiful.",Lily said remembering that day,
"Yeah it really was.",Severus said.
"I remember that Hagrid said the exact same thing, when we reached there.",Lily said.
"I don't think that he ever changes what he says to the first years. He does everything on that day like a ritual.",Severus said.
(There was a loud-holding out his hands.)
"Oh thank god, the kid got back his toad.",Lily said relieved.
"That is really a relief. I think he loves his pet very much.",Severus said.
"Every one loves their pet,Sev.",Lily said.
"I think scabbers is the best pet to have. He defended it's master in time of need.",Severus said with a smile.
(Then they clambered up a passageway-on the castle door.)
"That is the end of the chapter.",Severus said.
"This was a really interesting chapter.",Lily said.
"It really was. But next chapter is going to be even more.",Severus said.
"What is the time now?",Lily asked.
"It's half past one, now.",Severus said looking at the watch.
"I think I should go now. I am sure we can meet after lunch. My mother will not say anything if I am with you.",Lily said smiling.
"Even my mom is OK, if i am with you.",Severus smiled back.
"We will meet back here by three.",Lily said ,"I will take three books with me, and you take four.".
Severus took books numbered one,two , three and four. But did not bother to read the title.
"See you later.",Lily said and walked towards her home.
Severus smiled and walked to his home.